May crumpled her food wrappers between her hands and passed the trash to Iris, who held the trash bin. The preliminaries were going nicely, Iris had won her match against a trainer named Khory, Dawn had seemed to recognize him, and Dawn had won her battle against someone named Georgia who used ice types, predictably Iris hid during said battle. She had seen Harley and Kenny in the fray, both trainers going against some of Ash's new friends, who used Pokemon that May had never seen before. Harley's Cacturn had been thrashed by the blonde girl's Ribombee, a small yellow bee like Pokemon, and Kenny's Empoleon had battled beautifully against the blue haired girl's Primerina, a pretty sea lion Pokemon, in a vibrant water type battle that led to Lana's win. As much as she hated to admit it, his new friends battled beautifully.

But the day was wrapping up. It was late evening and while the numbers were dwindling, they still had battles the next day. As far as May knew there would only be two more battles before participants were released to rest before the second day of preliminaries. May herself wouldn't be battling until the next morning, with Max's battle later in the day.

—-

"Lets do this Serena!" Bonnie cheered, dashing down the hall.

"Hey don't run!" Ash yelled after, worrying that she would trip. He sighed. "I knew there was a chance but I didn't think two of our friends would be battling on the first day." He lamented, watching both girls walk off. A part of him was excited though, He hadn't gotten a chance to watch Bonnie really battle, and wanted to see how she squared up since she helped Clemont for so many years.

"This will be so interesting!" Lillie squealed, excited to see her new friend battle.

—-

"The battle between Bonnie and Serena is about to Begin!" The referee announced, drawing the tired crowd's attention. "This is a One on One battle, no substitutions. The winner is decided when one side is unable to battle or the trainer forfeits. Begin!"

"Haha come out and play Tyrunt!"

"Lets go Braixen!"

The trainers called out their Pokemon. Tyrunt let out a loud roar as he popped out, the tiny brown dinosaur ready to battle, claws flexing with adrenaline, and teeth snapping excitedly. Across from them was a bipedal yellow fox with long ear tufts, and a stick in its tail that was wrapped stylishly with a pink ribbon. Braixien blinked at the small dragon type and grabbed the stick, swirling it with flair as she prepared to battle.

"Lets start out with Ancient Power Tyrunt!" Bonnie ordered with a big grin. Tyrunt wasted no time, glowing a bright white momentarily before the energy extended outwards in four glowing balls of energy. Tyrunt growled, hurling the power towards Braixien.

"Block it with Hidden Power and fight back with a Fire Blast!"

"Bra!" Braixien chimed, leaping into the air as a blue ball of energy formed. Using her stick, Braixen hit Hidden Power, using it to collide with Ancient Power, and leaving her unscaved. With flair, Braxien spun her stick, a flash of flame bursting from the tip and shooting towards the Dragon Type.

"Catch Fire Blast with Firefang!" Tyrunt crooned with glee, fangs lighting with a flame of his own. Large jaws parted, with impressive strength, Tyrunt leapt into the air, snapping his jaws at the blast of flame. The Dragon/Rock type wasn't completely unscaved, the blast having caused some damage, but the flames that once coated the dinosaur's fangs were amplified, whipping like streamers from the sides of his jaws before he reached Braxien. Growling, Tyrunt snapped his jaws onto Braxien's tail, causing the Kanto starter to cry out in pain as they both fell the short way to the ground.

"Shake Tyrunt off with Scratch!"

"Use Crunch Tyrunt!"

Flames dissipating, Tyrunt dug his fangs deeper into Braxien's tail while Braxien delivered blows to the top of his head, trying to shake the other Pokemon off desperately.

—-

"Serena seems to be panicking." Kaiwe observed, watching the dirty blonde haired girl standing on her platform, her brows creased with worry and obviously unsure what to do.

"Apparently she hasn't been battling for very long." Lillie chimed. "Battling Gyms is a new thing for her and she only has three so far."

"Meanwhile Bonnie…" Lana's blue eyes drifted to the confident young girl. "She's young, but growing up with a genius inventor and Gym Leader, and Ash has hardened her into a fine young battler."

—-

"Get it away with Flamethrower!" Serena called out.

Braxien stopped struggling, twisting around to blast Tyrunt with a close stream of fire, finally shaking him off while Bonnie called for him to use Ancient Power. Tyrunt staggered a few steps away, shaking off the intense heat from Flame Thrower before both Pokemon started to glow.

Tyrunt was glowing white with a swirling blue attached to the glow while waves of power rippled and twisted in the air around it. Before the stadium Tyrunt started to grow. The once stubby tail elongated, growing spikes around the scales. His arms became longer, legs thicker and larger, and the tuft of fur around his neck became more pronounced, and longer, fluffing up as its form shifted. Smooth brown skin was replaced with thick, leathery red and gold plates, and upon his head sprouted a crown of gold scales. As the energy dissipated, Tyrantrum let out a loud roar, a burst of draconic power pulsing forwards and shaking the people in the stands.

Bonnie's eyes glimmered in awe. She knew Tyrunt was due to evolve, she had noticed an increase in appetite, and greater urge to battle, but she hadn't expected him to evolve so soon. She pulled out her Pokedex and Pointed it at him.

'Tyrantrum, the Despot Pokemon. This Pokémon is from about 100,000,000 years ago. It has the presence of a king, vicious but magnificent.'

"You evolved! Great Job Tyrantrum!" She giggled, cheering from where she stood on her platform.

Braxien also glowed with a greater flux of power. Her tail flattening and elongating, white the bushy dress like fur turned to cascade down longer legs. Her ear tufts became longer, and wilder, while her pelt shifted to a deep red. Her nose lengthened, becoming slimmer, and eyes sharper, more aware as her typing expanded. Braxien, now Delphox, shivered as a new type became more prominent, settling into her senses and making her more aware of what was around her.

Straightening her posture, Delphox crooned at her trainer, purring at the dumbfounded look that took over her face. Serena swiftly, and clumsily, pulled out her Pokedex, pointing it at her newly evolved Pokemon.

'Delphox, the Fox Pokemon. Using psychic power, it generates a fiery vortex of 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit, incinerating foes swept into this whirl of flame.'

"You…evolved." Serena said in awe, a smile breaking out over her face. "You really evolved, and you learned a new move! Alright!"

"Are the trainers ready for the battle to begin again?" The referee asked over the speakers, having given the battle a break just long enough for the two Pokemon to evolve safely. Serena blushed and nodded swiftly, while Bonnie jumped with an affirmative wave. "Alright, then let the battle between Tyrantrum and Delphox continue!"

Serena wasted no time calling out her attack. "Mystical Fire!"

With a lit stick, Delphox formed a circle of beautiful golden flames, before shooting a strong blast of fire through it, and into Tyrantrum. Tyrantrum staggered back with a rough growl.

"You're not the only ones that learned some new moves!" Bonnie chided gleefully. "Lets show them your new super awesome Dragon Tail!"

Roaring in affirmation, Tyrantrum's tail became encased with shimmery green draconic scales, and whipped his tail at Delphox, sending the Fire/Psychic type colliding into a wall. Delphox groaned as she pulled herself from the wall, staggering from the attack while panting with over exertion. Tyrantrum was barely better, the larger Pokemon breathing heavily, and slightly singed.

"Ancient Power Tyrantrum!"

"Send it back with Psychic!"

Four orbs of ancient power hurled towards Delphox before being coated in a purple power, halting them where they flew between the Pokemon. Tyrantrum tried to force the orbs forwards, while Delphox fought to send them back. Delphox growled, trying to stay standing, but the moment she weakened even slightly, Ancient Power collided with her, sending her to the floor, her eyes in swirls as she was knocked out.

"Delphox is unable to battle! Tyrantrum is the winner!" The Referee called out swiftly, allowing Serena to quickly return Delphox so she could get her to Nurse Joy.

Bonnie cheered from her spot on her platform, leaping into Tyrantrum's arms when he lumbered over to her, crooning as she sung his praises before she returned him so he could have a nice rest, energy rumbling under her skin at her win.

—-

"Did you see that Tyrantrum?!" Iris said giddily. "It was so amazing! I mean, I don't think his trainer should have him, mind you, shes just a child, but he was so beautiful! Do you think she'd be willing to trade with me? Emolga would be much better suited for her!"

"Calm down." Gary snorted, standing up. "Its my turn next!" He grinned with self assurance.

—-

Gary took his spot on the blue stage, while Nando, his long black hair pulled into an artful bun, took the green stage, his signature harp in his hands. "The battle between Gary and Nando is about to Begin!" The referee announced. "This is a One on One battle, no substitutions. The winner is decided when one side is unable to battle or the trainer forfeits. Begin!"

"Nidoking lets go!" The large bipedal rabbit took the stage with a roar, his purple spikes glinting in the near setting sun.

"Roserade, I need you my friend." Nando's soothing voice hummed, accompanied with a delicate tune from his harp as he sent out Roserade. The beautiful flower Pokemon hummed in return, taking the stage in a flurry of petals.

"Nidoking lets end this quickly with Earth Power!"

Grunting, Nidoking slammed his feet into the ground, sending pulses of ground energy into the tough terrain on the field, and causing large chunks of earth to jab upwards towards Roserade. However, with elegant speed that could only come from contest battles, Roserade leapt into the air, dodging the shards of earth and instead sending gusts of Sweet Scent towards Nidoking at Nando's command, causing the battle-ready Pokemon to relax, his awareness diminishing.

"Now Sunny Day," With Nidoking mentally out of it, Roserade raised its arms above its head, shooting two golden rays towards the sun, amplifying its power.

"Poison Sting!" Blinking lazily, Nidoking parted his jaws, hurling sharp poisonous barbs towards Roserade.

"Bullet Seed, and then Magical Leaf." From the rose like cannons on its hands, Roserade shot out sharp seeds, while sharp, glowing leaves danced around it in a tizzy of power, soaring towards Nidoking while Bullet Seed took care of Poison Sting.

Nidoking growled in pain as Magical Leaf hit its mark, causing him to stagger back and stop his assault, leaving Bullet Seed to also hit him in a double attack. Gary grit his teeth in frustration.

—-

"I thought the brilliant Gary Oak would perform better." Gladion taunted, unimpressed.

Ash's eyes were trained on the battle before him, his face unreadable, which was telling in of itself. "Gary is a researcher." He reminded. "I don't doubt he dose have to battle occasionally, but not at the frequency that trainers and even coordinators have to, not to mention his go to Pokemon are Blastoise, and Umbreon who knows when his other Pokemon battled last."

—-

Misty growled. "That loser!" She groaned. "Hes totally getting trashed!"

"Well, Nando is a Coordinator, and a gym trainer." Dawn reminded, unbothered as she buffed her nails. "And Nidoking hasn't battled in a long time, cut the guy some slack."

"You could at least pretend to be bothered." May giggled, Dawn simply shrugged.

—-

"Get in close with Double Kick!" Despite Nidoking's massive size, he was actually pretty fast. The large Pokemon charged Roserade, delivering a sharp kick, and drew his leg back to deliver another, but Roserade was prepared and dodged the second attack. "Quickly use Peck!" With a roar, Nidoking threw his head, the front most horn on his head lighting up white with Flying type energy that he brought down on Roserade, causing it to cry out in pain.

"Quickly Roserade, Solar Beam!" Roserade righted itself shakily, the Flying type attack having dealt a fair bit of damage, and rose it's rose buds towards the fleeing sun. The sun was starting to set, but because of Roserade's previous Sunny Day it was able to gather enough energy quick enough to blast Nidoking, who was coming in for another attack. However, Solar Beam took a lot of energy, coupled with Peck, and a Double Kick hitting, Roserade was wiped out, panting heavily at the exertion.

Nidoking was no better. He had been trashed by Bullet Seed, Magical Leaf, and a close Solar Beam, and it was only sheer will power that kept the massive Pokemon on his feet. He was panting heavily though, staring at Roserade warily, and Roserade stared back.

The battle field was silent, the two Pokemon eyeing each other from afar. Suddenly, Roserade fell to the ground, eyes in swirls. Nidoking followed not a second later, but Roserade had still fallen first.

The referee waited in case either Pokemon stood back up, but when neither did he called the match. "Roserade is unable to battle, making Nidoking the winner. The Winner of this match is Gary!" The Referee called, giving the audience a minute to cheer or boo respectfully before he continued. "Thus wraps up day one of the Preliminary round. Matches will start up again tomorrow at Nine AM."

—-

Ash yawned, and stood from his seat, stretching until his back let out a low 'pop' sound. Raichu copied him, but ended up falling off his tail, causing the trainer to snicker good naturedly. He reached down and hoisted Raichu back up. Something Ash loved about Raichu's form was that as an Alolan Raichu he was a bit smaller than a normal Raichu, and with his abilities could make himself weightless so Ash could still carry is little buddy around as if he were still a Pikachu. "We battle tomorrow afternoon buddy, you excited?"

"Rai Raichu!" Raichu crooned, blue eyes glinting with determination.

"Lets go get some actual dinner." Kaiwe suggested. "Those snacks didn't do much for me."

"Sounds good." Gladion agreed, grabbing Ash's hand so the shorter could hoist him up, the blonde's legs having fallen asleep.

"Oh I know the perfect restaurant!" Serena piped up, pulling out her phone. "Its real close by and the reviews are great!"

"Oh I've heard of this place!" Lana peered over Serena's shoulder. "They have an International menu, and serve signature dishes from every region!"

"Oh lets go there!" Bonnie agreed.

"Sounds good, my mom was always wanted to try Galarian Curry." Ash agreed, sighing with contentment at how relaxed he felt with the boisterous group.

Author's Comments: sorry for the bad chapter, I got very sick and was super out of it. But chapters will probably be more spaced out, battle chapters just take more time to write compared to plot/fluff chapters because believe it or not I do try to write good battles.